(FAIRFAX, VA) – The National Rifle Association (NRA) is pleased to announce Columbus, Ohio, as the host city for its 136th Annual Meeting & Exhibits on May 18-20, 2007. The Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in the center of the city, will be home for the 3-day event.

“The NRA is looking forward to coming to Columbus in 2007,” Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President stated. “I would like to thank Governor Taft and the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau for inviting our Association and members to celebrate freedom and our Second Amendment in their great city.”

Ohio Governor Bob Taft stated, “I am pleased that the NRA chose one of Ohio`s great cities for its annual meeting in 2007. We welcome the thousands of NRA members and guests who will enjoy Columbus and help support our local economy."

In the heart of the city, the 1.7 million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center offers 425,000 square feet of exhibit space for vendors and manufacturers. Columbus is the 15th largest city in America and is located within 550 miles of more than half of the U.S. population. In addition, downtown Columbus is just 10 minutes from Port Columbus International Airport.

Mr. LaPierre concluded, “Columbus is an easily accessible city with excellent facilities and accommodations. We expect the 2007 Meeting & Exhibits to be one of our biggest and best. With the high concentration of NRA members, hunters and shooters in Ohio and in the surrounding states, we anticipate large numbers in Columbus. It has the potential to surpass this year’s meeting in Houston, Texas, where we had one of our best conventions ever with 60,000 members and a record number of exhibitors.”

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen`s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation`s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.

The Mansfield News Journal is reporting that a criminal armed with a BB gun met his match in the form of a 130-lb former wrestler whose home he had just broken into.

From the story:

[Homeowner Oakus] Cox said [Ronnie] Nichols had been to his house earlier that night, asking to use the phone and borrow $20. Cox accommodated both requests.

Police reported Nichols returned about 4 a.m., wearing a ski mask and gloves and brandishing a handgun that turned out to be a BB gun. The alleged gunman ordered Cox to empty his pockets. In disgust, Cox said he threw his money on the floor.

When Nichols reportedly bent over to get the money, Cox burst into action.

"I tackled him," Cox said. "I wrestled through high school (at Mansfield Senior). I had him in a choke-hold."

The robber escaped with the money, but left the gun behind.

Cox pulled off his assailant's ski mask during the tussle and later identified Nichols. Even though the robber had a gun, Cox said he felt no fear.

"I'm a firm believer that if it was meant to be, it was meant to be," he said. "I go to church. I know where I'm going."

Police also arrested a second suspect who drove a getaway car.

"We're dealing with people that we're very familiar with," Lt. John Wendling told the newspaper. "They need to be put in prison."

Dayton's WDTN.com is urging area residents to be on the lookout for a thief who is "terrorizing female shoppers".

Investigators say 32-year-old Janet Hawkinberry snatches purses to get money to feed her drug habit. And they say no matter how many times they catch her, she doesn't stop.

From the story:

Beavercreek police detective, Jeff Fiorta details 32-year-old Janet Hawkinberry's method of thievery. "What she does is just waits for that moment when the victim is not looking, takes the purse or wallet and takes off running out the store." He says Hawkinberry is a known purse snatcher in the area. "She's not doing a whole lot to cover her activities. She's just desperate for money."

Investigators have several surveillance clips of her in action. They say she sets up shop in stores like Wal-Mart. After she gets the goods, she's off to shop. "What she does then is she goes to various stores, most of them being here in Beavercreek using the credit cards and checks to purchase property."

She's been arrested several times before. But police say a drug habit fuels her crime sprees. "Her story to us is she owes some money to drug dealers and in turn she's going out stealing merchandise to pay her drug debt." Hawkinberry is currently out on bail after being locked up on theft and forgery charges. Police want to get the word out about Hawkinberry because they believe she could be responsible for other purse snatchings in the Miami Valley.

Commentary from Senate District 10 Coordinator Larry S. Moore:
This is happening in Beavercreek which one DDN forum audience member described as "a safe community".

This story carries several messages. First is to watch your purse. Take care on how you open your purse, carry your purse, handle your wallet, etc. If you don't know the risks and the right way to accomplish this, then perhaps a "Refuse to be a Victim" course should be in your immediate future. If you are a female, and a CHL-holder who carries, do you carry your handgun in your purse? Sounds like that option should be reviewed.

While newspapers in Youngstown and Cleveland are going to court to get photos of police officers to print, the media in Dayton could have helped us keep an eye out for Janet Hawkinberry - if only we had a photo to know what the purse snatcher looks like. Is "be on the lookout without any photo or physical description" an oxymoron?

Related Story:
Purse Snatcher Targeting Gas Stations